A year end salute to those who painted the soundtracks of our lives and faded into the credits this year:

Richard Wright. Shine on, you crazy diamond. Your contribution will not be lost.

Buddy Miles, drummer for Jimi. If he had backed up a lesser talent, his own might have had a far greater share of the spotlight, but he was certainly a part of the greatness.

It was a bad year for Jimi's rhythm section. We lost Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell as well.

Clifford Davies of Grand Funk.

Mickey Waller.

Leroi Moore. One of the great reasons Dave Matthews Band is so soulful.

Jeff Healey. We are left without his searing blues licks way too soon, and our sympathies to his wife and young children. Its hard to remember their loss when our own is so recognized, but theirs is certainly far greater.

Bo Diddley. Where would we be, oh, where would we be? If you know rock, then you indeed know Diddley. No matter what genre of rock is your bag, baby, its leading influences counted Mr. Ella Othas Bates as their own influence, or someone who did. Our biggest salute to The Originator.

Hats off to each and every one.